WASHINGTON – The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) announced this afternoon that Lakshmi N. Mittal, chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, is the 2018 recipient of AISI’s highest award, The Gary Medal. The award was presented at a lunch ceremony at AISI’s General Meeting in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel.

In presenting the award, AISI president and CEO, Thomas J. Gibson, said, “Lakshmi Mittal’s steel domain encompasses four continents, 60 countries and 199,000 employees. He created the largest steel and mining company in the world. He is committed to both the science and art of steelmaking, and his talent in building a sustainable, transformative company will change the world for generations to come. Mr. Mittal is a great industrialist who knows no limits on what he wants to accomplish, and has accomplished, in the steel industry. He is truly a man of steel, and much deserving of this high honor.”

The citation reads, “For inspiring a generation of steelmakers and diverse customers with your determination and unique vision for the future of steel; for your commitment to a sustainable world where steel is the material of choice indefinitely; and for your spirit, tenacity and leadership in bringing solutions to global challenges at the highest level of excellence.”

Mittal has served as chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal since 2006 when it was formed by the merger of Arcelor S.A. and Mittal Steel Company, which he founded in 1976. Additionally, he serves on the Cleveland Clinic’s board of trustees and is a member of the advisory council at Harvard University.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 21 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and approximately 120 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI's website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook or Twitter (@AISISteel).